Newlands Spring Primary and Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 October 2023

The school is a warm and welcoming environment. Pupils are happy and safe. They are particularly well cared for. Pupils can share any worries with staff, who they know will help them. They are confident and kind to one another. Pupils behave well and work hard. They look forward to coming to school every day. Pupils find their learning exciting, which helps them to progress well. They know the high expectations that staff have of them. Pupils work together well and enjoy the subjects that they study. Every pupil can access a wide range of opportunities and experiences available to broaden their development. Pupils visit the local library regularly to ensure that they have access to a wide variety of texts. All pupils learn at least three musical instruments during their time at the school. Trips are carefully planned so that they enhance the curriculum and develop pupils' independence. Pupils can participate in sporting opportunities beyond those they may normally experience. For example, children start swimming from Reception and continue every year. All pupils get to try a variety of sports such as yoga, boccia, archery and fencing in addition to their normal lessons. Pupils understand the importance of looking after their physical health.

What the school should improve

• The school's safeguarding records are not always as precise as they should be. Therefore, it is sometimes unclear as to what actions leaders have taken and the impact of these actions. The school should ensure that safeguarding records: accurately record a comprehensive summary of any concern; record details of how concerns were followed up and resolved; and record sufficient detail of any action taken, decisions reached and the outcome.
• In a few subjects, the knowledge that pupils need to learn has not been precisely identified. Some teachers do not have the knowledge and expertise to teach this knowledge as effectively as they do in other subjects. As a result, pupils do not achieve as well in these subjects. The school must ensure that all staff understand securely the knowledge and skills that they are to teach and that leaders check the training staff receive is having the intended effect.
• There is not a consistency of high-quality practice between the early years classes. Therefore, children do not progress with their learning as well as they should. The school should ensure that early years practice is consistent, so that all children have a meaningful learning experience that fully meets their needs.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)